I am headed out to school for one of my last weeks (and it's teacher appreciation week!) but I just couldn't wait to share this exciting news! I will surely post more details as soon as I have another free second and as I find out more information.
I will be traveling to Rwanda and Uganda instead of Kenya and Uganda for the safety of our team. For some strange reason I am just overjoyed! Long story short, the Lord strangely put Rwanda on my heart since I was in Africa last summer.
Anyways, I will try to get back on here soon with more details but I just could not wait to share!
Monday, May 7, 2012
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Long time.
Hey y'all! I have been feeling so guilty that I haven't posted in such a long time! On this gloomy day, I finally found the perfect opportunity! Posted up on the couch in sweats watching the cooking channel with my dog :)
I have been up to my ears in to-do lists. Yes, usually more than one. My kindergartners are giving me a run for my money and well, I'm a pushover. It has been one crazy blur these past three months, but I love it! I am even more excited for next year when (God willing) I will have my own new group of kiddos that I can start fresh with. Pretty cool that I'm 21 years old with a retirement plan. I am surrounded by amazing people at work! Many of my co-workers point me straight to the Lord and I love that! I got the coolest poster from one of them that is a constant reminder of my purpose in that classroom! It is such a great reminder that I keep right beside my desk. I have also joined NewSpring Charleston! The sermons are great and filling and it never fails that in every message, something sticks out right at me!
One reason I haven't written in a while is about two months ago, during my quiet time I began writing my prayers and by the time I finished I realized I got carried away and was writing for an audience. I was really convicted in who I was talking to and why I was doing that. I really needed to separate my quiet time with the Lord and blog writing time. That being said, I am not promising updates often but hopefully more closer to Africa time!
In December, my sweet friend Abby ventured to Kenya and Uganda without me. It is so incredible what the Lord taught her in going on that trip "alone". I was pretty sad that I was not going with her but it was a really awesome and a very clear answer from the Lord of where he wanted me to be and I had to be patient and flexible for His answer. While she was there she got to see my sweet boy Henry! He recorded the sweetest message for me and him and Yotham wrote me letters and signed them "Your Beloved Son." Ahhh I can just picture the day when I pull up to Canaan and run off of that bus and embrace those boys and Rose!!!! I have $1000 more to raise before July. I am confident that the Lord will provide and if you feel that is through a financial contribution of any amount, please contact me to find out how!
Well that is all for now. Just waiting to see what the Lord has in store for my future and super pumped for my next trip to Africa! Matthew 6:33, trying to keep my eyes on Him.
I have been up to my ears in to-do lists. Yes, usually more than one. My kindergartners are giving me a run for my money and well, I'm a pushover. It has been one crazy blur these past three months, but I love it! I am even more excited for next year when (God willing) I will have my own new group of kiddos that I can start fresh with. Pretty cool that I'm 21 years old with a retirement plan. I am surrounded by amazing people at work! Many of my co-workers point me straight to the Lord and I love that! I got the coolest poster from one of them that is a constant reminder of my purpose in that classroom! It is such a great reminder that I keep right beside my desk. I have also joined NewSpring Charleston! The sermons are great and filling and it never fails that in every message, something sticks out right at me!
One reason I haven't written in a while is about two months ago, during my quiet time I began writing my prayers and by the time I finished I realized I got carried away and was writing for an audience. I was really convicted in who I was talking to and why I was doing that. I really needed to separate my quiet time with the Lord and blog writing time. That being said, I am not promising updates often but hopefully more closer to Africa time!
In December, my sweet friend Abby ventured to Kenya and Uganda without me. It is so incredible what the Lord taught her in going on that trip "alone". I was pretty sad that I was not going with her but it was a really awesome and a very clear answer from the Lord of where he wanted me to be and I had to be patient and flexible for His answer. While she was there she got to see my sweet boy Henry! He recorded the sweetest message for me and him and Yotham wrote me letters and signed them "Your Beloved Son." Ahhh I can just picture the day when I pull up to Canaan and run off of that bus and embrace those boys and Rose!!!! I have $1000 more to raise before July. I am confident that the Lord will provide and if you feel that is through a financial contribution of any amount, please contact me to find out how!
Well that is all for now. Just waiting to see what the Lord has in store for my future and super pumped for my next trip to Africa! Matthew 6:33, trying to keep my eyes on Him.
Friday, December 16, 2011
Lately.
I have been so very busy so it's been a while.
I accepted my first job offer at a local elementary school as a kindergarten teacher on November 23rd. This job is a huge blessing and gift from God! I even have a Faith, Isaiah, and Jeremiah in my class, haha. The whole story is pretty crazy if you ever want to hear it. For the past few weeks I have been to the school a few days a week to "shadow" the teacher, meet the kids, and learn the ropes. I am SO SUPER EXCITED to get started! I will be working on my classroom for the next few weeks. Pictures promised!
I took two days off to GRADUATE! I graduated from the University of South Carolina on December 12th! It happened so fast and doesn't even seem real yet. I was able to graduate in three and a half years with Magna Cum Laude honors and a 3.87 GPA. I am really proud of myself and thankful for all that the Lord did for me in college. It is so hard to believe I am a college graduate. I already miss my friends and the college atmosphere so much!!!! My advice to anyone else: don't ever graduate!
All that being said, and as mentioned in my previous post. It is still my plan to go back to Africa in July!!! I still cannot wait to see those sweet children and am so excited for my sweet friend Abby to go in December! In the mean time, I get to love on sweet five year olds who need to see the love of Christ expressed through my actions and love.
Life at home is different. My social life has drastically decreased! I will also be looking for a church to attend. Something else that has been on my mind is how weird this stage in life is. Now don't get me wrong, I am SO excited for everyone, but it seems like a good 50% of girls my age are engaged or soon to be engaged. I know it comes in spurts, it's just something I will have to get used to. I confidently trust that the Lord will provide for me! This is such a great reminder about waiting for God's best for me: http://www.jwowen.com/?p=1409.
"As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Abide in my LOVE." John 15:9
Friday, November 25, 2011
Relief.
I am feeling very excited and relieved right now!
About two weeks ago I heard of a job opening. Tuesday I had a clearance interview with the school district. Also on Tuesday I had a spur of the moment interview with the principal. Wednesday after I bought my graduation dress, I was walking down King St. and got a call from the district office offering me the job! I will start Thursday with two days off to graduate! CRAZY! I am incredibly excited!
Last Monday, on the way home for my Tuesday interview, I was distraught about fundraising for my quickly approaching trip to Africa. I have been torn up with no clear yes or no answer from God on this particular trip. I feel I just got it. The elementary schools start back January 3rd and I would have been in Africa until the 8th. I feel like the job was God's way of saying, "I've got this! Relax!"
So I am relaxing as much as possible with my new job about to start before I even graduate.
I will still need more funds to go to Africa this summer and more than my trip cost to donate to the many ministries we will visit during our time there, I just have some more time and can be more devoted to a summer trip and also my new students!
He has a plan!
It's incredible!
It's often hard to decipher.
It's not always what we think is the right thing.
We are promised that it will always work out.
Until then, my sweet friend Abby can go check on those babies and give them lots of love. Check out her blog at http://www.abbyhilderbran.blogspot.com.
To God be the glory!
About two weeks ago I heard of a job opening. Tuesday I had a clearance interview with the school district. Also on Tuesday I had a spur of the moment interview with the principal. Wednesday after I bought my graduation dress, I was walking down King St. and got a call from the district office offering me the job! I will start Thursday with two days off to graduate! CRAZY! I am incredibly excited!
Last Monday, on the way home for my Tuesday interview, I was distraught about fundraising for my quickly approaching trip to Africa. I have been torn up with no clear yes or no answer from God on this particular trip. I feel I just got it. The elementary schools start back January 3rd and I would have been in Africa until the 8th. I feel like the job was God's way of saying, "I've got this! Relax!"
So I am relaxing as much as possible with my new job about to start before I even graduate.
I will still need more funds to go to Africa this summer and more than my trip cost to donate to the many ministries we will visit during our time there, I just have some more time and can be more devoted to a summer trip and also my new students!
He has a plan!
It's incredible!
It's often hard to decipher.
It's not always what we think is the right thing.
We are promised that it will always work out.
Until then, my sweet friend Abby can go check on those babies and give them lots of love. Check out her blog at http://www.abbyhilderbran.blogspot.com.
To God be the glory!
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Emotion.
I am completely overwhelmed with emotions right now! Hysterically crying, smiling, laughing, praying, crying some more.
We just got off of our first conference call for my December Africa trip. When we started talking about the itinerary, specifically Canaan Children's Home,
I could picture every sweet face.
Those sweet boys.
Beautiful girls.
Grace.
I can still feel that soft skin.
Those beautiful smiles.
The joy.
The pure love of our Father.
The beautiful dirt.
Warm hugs.
(Also waking up to bat squeaks and the Muslim call to prayer in the morning.) :)
All of my emotions towards Africa resurfaced. Part of me feels disgusting that I am able to go back to my daily, school and world worshiping life. I am so incredibly thankful that the Lord sent me in the first place to teach me so much. I really can't even find words to explain how I feel right now.
Jesus is always holding those children and loving them more than I can imagine.
Thankful.
Matthew 25:31-46
If you want to know how you can help, please contact me at machinnis@gmail.com.
We just got off of our first conference call for my December Africa trip. When we started talking about the itinerary, specifically Canaan Children's Home,
I could picture every sweet face.
Those sweet boys.
Beautiful girls.
Grace.
I can still feel that soft skin.
Those beautiful smiles.
The joy.
The pure love of our Father.
The beautiful dirt.
Warm hugs.
(Also waking up to bat squeaks and the Muslim call to prayer in the morning.) :)
All of my emotions towards Africa resurfaced. Part of me feels disgusting that I am able to go back to my daily, school and world worshiping life. I am so incredibly thankful that the Lord sent me in the first place to teach me so much. I really can't even find words to explain how I feel right now.
Jesus is always holding those children and loving them more than I can imagine.
Thankful.
Matthew 25:31-46
If you want to know how you can help, please contact me at machinnis@gmail.com.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Together.
The school I am student teaching at is one huge family! We sing Love Can Build a Bridge by the Judds and Together We Can Change the World. I just heard Together We Can Change the World for the first time today and I had to walk away from the video so that I wouldn't cry. Seeing the sweet African faces in this video and hearing their sweet voices singing in their best English is just the sweetest! I miss them so much!
Check the song out at http://www.togetherwecanchangetheworldsong.com/.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Help the Canaan kids!
http://www.withwingedfeet.blog
Check this out!!! A sweet friend of mine, the girl who inspired me to go on my first trip, has started this program to ensure that the children at Canaan Children's Home in Uganda are eating a well balanced meal. You can help for just $8 a month...think about what you spend more than $8 a month on (Starbucks, alcohol, McDonalds, parking tickets, etc.).
Check this out!!! A sweet friend of mine, the girl who inspired me to go on my first trip, has started this program to ensure that the children at Canaan Children's Home in Uganda are eating a well balanced meal. You can help for just $8 a month...think about what you spend more than $8 a month on (Starbucks, alcohol, McDonalds, parking tickets, etc.).
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